Simon Cowell last night caved in to Danyl Johnson and changed his song for this week’s show.

The stroppy drama teacher had a hissy fit and stormed out of rehearsals when asked to sing George Michael’s Praying for Time.

But after crisis talks Cowell agreed he could perform the star’s classic hit Careless Whisper.

And the X Factor judge brushed off their row as a “storm in a teacup” blaming 27-year-old Danyl’s meltdown on the pressure of competing for the top prize. He said: “The frustration got to him and he boiled over but when we talked it through he was as good as gold.

“It was always going to be one of those two songs and it turns out Danyl had set his heart on the other one.

“Danyl is now going to sing Careless Whisper on Saturday and it is an incredible version. We love it.”

Danyl ran off down Battersea High Street in South London on Wednesday after a bust-up about the track.

Last week’s loser Jamie Archer, who also had arguments with Cowell over song choices, said he had a long chat with the contestant after his walkout.

He added: “Sometimes you have a strong idea of what you want to do and it doesn’t match what the X Factor think is right. It can be very frustrating.

“It’s very high pressure, I don’t think anyone can ever understand what it’s truly like to be in that house.

“People will flare up from time to time. It is natural to think, ‘Oh my God, I need some time to myself’.”

A charity auction for two studio tickets to watch X Factor a week on Sunday have attracted bids of more than £10,000.